(6) Florida 72 Vanderbilt 62

The Gators (21-5, 11-4 Southeastern Conference) appeared in control after building a 35-24 halftime lead, but Vanderbilt (15-13, 4-11) opened the second half with a 14-4 run, pulling within 39-38 after a 3-pointer by Matt Freije.

Florida twice built the lead back to 11 points.

Consecutive jumpers by Nelson gave the Gators a 58-47 lead with 8:20 to play, but again Vanderbilt rallied.

Russell Lakey capped a 10-0 Commodores run with a 3-pointer to cut the Gators' lead to 58-57 with 6:10 left.

Vanderbilt had a chance to take the lead, but Freije missed a jumper from the baseline. Nelson then helped Florida put the game away, scoring half of the Gators' last 14 points.

Leading 66-59 after a dunk by Bonner with 1:13 remaining, the Gators went 6-of-8 from the free-throw line to hold off the Commodores.